Marcus is an MSer from Florida that started his MS journey while he was serving for the US Army after playing college football in Kansas. Marcus was playing basketball in the gym when he lost the ability to dribble and to run backwards like he normally could. Marcus went to the military sick call the next day because he knew something wasn’t right. The Army doctors ran a few tests and put him on rest for a few days and Marcus improved his symptoms and continued his military career until a knee injury forced him out of service. Marcus then went into civilian life still with no definitive diagnosis but knew what he had. Marcus and I talk about the fight he had with keeping his military records available for his new civilian doctors and how he had to advocate for himself with Veteran Affairs to get the compensation he was entitled to because of his service. Marcus talks about what it was like being young and being diagnosed with a life changing disease and we have a discussion about how he struggled with the mental health aspect and how he figured out he needed professional help. Marcus shares how he went years hiding his disease because he didn’t want to talk about MS with anyone and how he learned to talk and advocate for himself throughout his journey. We have so many great conversations about family, employment, exercise, walking aids and how we have learned how to manage our disease and figure things out through experience. We also talk about how we both have learned to ask for help. Marcus tells me the great story of how he met his wife after being in a 30 year prior marriage and how his current wife understands being a fibromyalgia warrior. Marcus has an amazing attitude with how he keeps fighting no matter what MS gives to him. Marcus, thank you so much for sharing your journey with me to help understand what it’s like living with MS! Keep fighting the fight!

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